Project in focus: CAMBERWELL
We dare you to glance at this kitchen and not lean in for a closer look. It’s like eating a sugared donut without licking your lips. It just can’t be done, well not without herculean levels of restraint anyway!
In some regard one could say that the success of this kitchen was years in the making, and to some extent that is true.
We’ve talked before about what an honour it is to work on a second kitchen for a client, and here again, we see how spectacular the results of that bond of trust can be. Both parties dare a bit more, venture a bit further, and encourage the other to be that bit braver. The result is this spectacular kitchen. Collaboration at its true best!
Inspired by the Georgian architecture of this splendid London townhouse, the pair of grandiose pantries took their stylistic influence from the floor to ceiling sash windows which feature the same curved detail. Painted in Mylands “Huguenot 49” they add a real sense of drama and stature to the space.
To the left is our much loved and much discussed oversized fridge freezer with ice maker. While to the right, a more traditional “old school” oak-lined breakfast pantry with marble countertop. If we want to talk pleasing tactile experiences, then we should probably mention that the drawers are solid oak…
In open plan spaces, where kitchens and living spaces combine as they do in this room, flooring can be such a tricky element to get right.
Engineered timber can become worn in high traffic areas around a sink or hob and can stain easily. Tiles can be very practical when dealing with food and liquid spills but don’t offer that cosy effect that people look for in a living space.
This solution here, of combining a bold patterned tile in the kitchen area with a timber herringbone in the living space, not only offers a funky modern twist to the room, but also enables a practical solution to this age-old conundrum.
We love this combo and have used a similar solution in our studio. We have a timber herringbone blended in with a porcelain wood effect herringbone tile in the high traffic areas as well as some fun monochrome hexagons in a daisy mosaic pattern. Few of our guests notice the difference in wood effect tile and the porcelain which is very much the idea.
For us, this vignette of the kitchen speaks to the bold choices the client was willing to make in the name of impeccable style.
Yes, a Bora hob with inbuilt NASA grade downdraft extraction technology and an integrated teppanyaki plate is an extravagance, but how much more fun and flamboyant is hosting when you can chat to the room from your island while you cook!
Yes, hiding a section of your open top shelves behind reeded crittal doors is an added expense, but goodness doesn’t it look tough and make the room that much edgier. It also allows a busy young family to be a little less tidy, which lets face it, is no bad thing.
Yes, creating a fake butler sink front to break up the sink run isn’t practically necessary, but hasn’t it just added so much character. And best not mention the second prep sink on the kitchen island. Oh, and speaking of kitchen Islands, yep, this one is raised on feet for added glamour and sense of circulation within the room.
But if you asked us which element we could have been rowed back in order to still achieve a great result, we’d probably look at you as if you’d just asked us which of our children we’d like to send back, before giving it some serious though of course!
So, when we get asked by clients, as we frequently do, is this just all going to look too much? you may have gathered that more often than not the answer is, it’s never too much!
This final raw oak tea and coffee station with marble worktop adds just the right amount of country feel to this incredible space. It ages the space somewhat, offering a warmth to soften the bold red, and dramatic black units painted in paint and paper library.
If you like this kitchen, I really do encourage you to visit Caroline’s Instagram page @thegeorgianontheterrace. Here you will see how she has created the most beautiful, eclectic home that fuses comfortable old-world style with modern finishes and vibrant colours to the most exquisite effect. It’s truly one of a kind. Enjoy!
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